【Event Recap】micro:bit Model Hovercraft Competition 2022-2023

The micro:bit Model Hovercraft Competition 2022-2023 was successfully held on July 8, 2023 at the HKSYC&IA Chan Nam Chong Memorial College. The competition requires 70 teams from primary and secondary schools to design, create and code a model hovercraft, and put it to three exciting challenges: The "Speed Challenge", the "Rescue Challenge", and the "Cargo Lifter Challenge".

The Speed Challenge tests the speed performance of the hovercraft, while ensuring that hovercraft could smoothly turn and complete the track in the shortest period of time possible.

The Rescue Challenge is set up with different scoring zones that have obstacles that hinder the hovercraft from entering.Teams have to devise strategies to obtain the highest score by taking a safe route.

The Cargo Lifter Challenge tests the hovercraft's load-bearing capacity and the team's confidence in the hovercraft. If the weight was too heavy and the hovercraft could not move, the team had to restart from the starting point.

Achievement

Students need to learn how to use the wireless communication capability of micro:bit to connect it with a game controller to achieve remote control functionality of the hovercraft. After testing the operation of the hovercraft, students need to modify the programming instructions to further improve the performance of it. For example, they can differentiate the airflow direction generated by the clockwise and counterclockwise propellers and install them in the correct positions to effectively control the hovercraft. Through this process, students can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind the operation of a hovercraft, such as its hovercraft buoyancy system.

The hovercraft's buoyancy system consists of a fan and an air chamber. Air flows into the air chamber through the propeller at the bottom of the boat. When the air escapes from the lower openings, it creates an air cushion beneath the hovercraft, causing it to rise and reducing the friction with the ground, allowing the hovercraft to move.

The participating teams showcased their artistic talents by making the hovercraft more beautiful, while demonstrating the ART elements in STEAM.

🏆Winner List

Primary School Group
🥇Champion： Kwong Ming School ─ 光明2隊
🥈The First Runner Up： Kwong Ming School ─ 光明3隊
🥉The Second Runner Up： St. Louis School (Primary Section) ─ SLSPS 2

Secondary School Group
🥇Champion： HKSYC&IA Chan Nam Chong Memorial College ─ 南昌一號
🥈The First Runner Up： Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School ─ CDG Express
🥉The Second Runner Up： Tsang Pik Shan (Sung Lan) Secondary School ─ 璧山二號

💪Best Performance Award for Three Challenges

Primary School Group
💪Fastest Hovercraft Award: PLK Siu Hon Sum Primary School ─ 蕭小4隊, Kwong Ming School ─ 光明2隊
💪Most Flexible Hovercraft Award: St. Louis School (Primary Section) ─ SLSPS 2
💪Most Loadable Hovercraft Award: Kwong Ming School ─ 光明3隊

Secondary School Group
💪Fastest Hovercraft Award: HKSYC&IA Chan Nam Chong Memorial College ─ 南昌一號
💪Most Flexible Hovercraft Award: HKSYC&IA Chan Nam Chong Memorial College ─ 南昌一號
💪Most Loadable Hovercraft Award: Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School ─ CDG Express

🎖️Best Design Award

Primary School Group
🎖️PLK Siu Hon Sum Primary School ─ 蕭小1隊
🎖️PLK Siu Hon Sum Primary School ─ 蕭小2隊
🎖️PLK Siu Hon Sum Primary School ─ 蕭小3隊
🎖️Pui Kiu Primary School ─ 飄移森林
🎖️St. Louis School (Primary Section) ─ Starlite

Secondary School Group
🎖️PHC Wing Kwong College ─ 宇宙之最
🎖️Buddhist Kok Kwong Secondary School ─ 夏日
🎖️Buddhist Kok Kwong Secondary School ─ 海洋
🎖️Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School ─ CDG Express
🎖️Holy Trinity College ─ 光宗耀祖

Event Highlights

Check out the event photos to feel the excitement of the competition!
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